New garden provides students a learning experience

Thursday

Nov 15, 2018 at 9:00 AM

Down in Washington, D.C., the future home to many people and soon more women who will help change the climate and the production of civility, along with its appearance, there is still some open spots to turn the soil and sow seeds.I brought milkweed seeds, which the monarchs might visit on their next journey, for the pre-k students at the Garrison Public School to release the seeds with their white fluffy tails and land in a soft bit of earth. These seeds like to be sown in autumn before the winter winds blow and the the chills arrive.There are plans there for a new garden space, near to the new playing field, climbing structure and exploratory areas of the school. Let those kids explore climbing, let them sit and listen and let them watch a plant grow.I hope they will go outside in all weather, even if it rains, they could get wet and then dry off later on. Many people ought to go out in the rain, whether in France, near home or on a walk. The rain and the sun this fall often prevent kids of all ages from attending a field trip or stepping outside their classroom to an outdoor learning, growing classroom and I wish it were not so. Farm teacher Janice reminds folks that it is not bad weather that prevents the learning, it is not being properly dressed or prepared. I prepare myself for every teaching lesson, knowing it may not go well, but hoping it will.I took seeds and garlic to other schools, for other kids, to find more places to grow and for people to engage in some hands-on learning.Food feeds lots of people and it is neat to know from where good food can come and how many of us can play a role in its production. I do not fool myself into thinking that this organic food growing can feed everyone, but hopefully more people can be energized, excited and engaged along the way. If you do not sow the seeds, they will not grow. if you do not go to the beach at low tide to gather seaweed, then you cannot put it in the soil to amend and improve the condition and habitat in which they grow. If the leaves do not turn colors and fall to the ground, you are then not able to rake them up and bring them to a garden as mulch and a blanket for the planted garlic, which faces a bit of growing then dormancy until February sprouts appear.There is no seaweed near many of the gardens where kids and adults learn and grow, certainly not at the Garrison in Washington, D.C. But there are people there who may realize the benefits of growing and see the results as flowers bloom and plants bear fruit. When more people come to D.C. or to any garden, I imagine they will learn and be ready for new ideas, mindful activity and plants of many colors, especially some new shades of blue.Jon Belber is a Scituate resident and the education director at Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset. He teaches students and adults about organic gardening and farming. His column appears twice monthly in the Mariner. He can be reached by email at jbelberhollyhill@hotmail.com. For information on upcoming programs at Holly Hill, visit hollyhillfarm.org.